The history of the commemoration of Women’s Day is a vital reminder of how important women’s voices are in driving change. But we also agree that women’s contribution to our business, industry and society needs to be acknowledged, recognised, celebrated and exposed on every day of the year.

In this article, we're profiling Associate Sarah Tarr, who has been with the studio for 10 years. We asked her about her work and her journey over the past decade. 

In an era where architectural concepts need to leap from blueprint to reality with precision, dhk Architects' 3D Visualisation team has become an indispensable force in creating visions that showcases the building before a single brick is laid. At the helm of this specialised team is the Head of Architectural Visualisation, Pieter Van Der Bijl, a seasoned professional with 22 years at dhk.

Themed ‘Recalibrating the Development Conversation, the 2025 edition of the Western Cape Property Development Forum (WCPDF) conference highlighted the province's rapid growth trajectory and the critical infrastructure and regulatory challenges that must be addressed to sustain development.

In May, dhk Architects attended the 12th annual East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya. dhk Partner Peter Stokes and Senior Interior Designer Kgalalelo Mosime from our sister company dhk Interior Design represented dhk at the event.

We have various roles open at dhk Architects. Architects, technologists, interior designers and urban designers. Apply today.

dhk Architects welcomed seven students and three faculty members from the Norman Foster Institute to its Cape Town studio to engage and share insights into architecture and urban design.

Presented since 2010, the AZA2025 urban festival returns to unite international and local architects, cultural producers, thought leaders, academics and students in the built environment to exchange and discover innovative, alternative and future approaches to design and development.

Between January and April this year, dhk Architects announced ten promotions, strengthening the senior leadership team and reflecting our strategy of expansion within the studio. Professional Architect Christiaan Van Aswegen is one of the newly promoted team members.

At the forefront of our digital transformation journey is our skilled building information modelling (BIM) team.

dhk Architects has promoted seven team members to its leadership team as the studio continues to extend its footprint locally and internationally.

dhk Interior Design (dhki) is a leading interior architecture and design firm based in Cape Town, South Africa.

As well as steering a busy team, Leigh leads the practice’s strategic HR direction.

dhk Architects has appointed experienced communications professional Hilary Alexander as Head of Communications, with a mandate to steer the practice’s strategic communications and support the senior leadership team.

The career of an architect, urban designer and interior designer is rarely a short story. Instead, there are multiple story lines, the occasional plot twist and even a cliffhanger now and then. Every person who works with dhk is a main character.

dhk Architects has shaped the Cape Town skyline over the past 26 years.

This year’s event kicks off in Joburg from 10-13 October, followed by a Cape Town edition from 24-27 October.

The hospitality industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Today’s travellers are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter accommodation.

Contemporary design preserves a historical landmark at Battery Park

dhk Candidate Architect Ismaeel Davids is currently in Madrid pursuing a Master’s Degree programme at the Norman Foster Institute Programme on Sustainable Cities. We’ve been following his journey closely since he left eight months ago, despite the distance.

She’s been with dhk since 2018, having initially enrolled in a year-long internship through the Go for Gold learnership programme. Her journey exemplifies the programme’s value in providing committed students a pathway to realise their full potential.

Shaping the built environment and advocating for sustainable practices

What’s happening in mixed-use developments, according to the East Africa Property Investment Summit

interviewed by tony korsten, publisher for asset magazine + written by ana lorton

What’s an architect’s responsibility in preserving heritage?

dhk partner and executive director Guy Briggs suggests that there are nine key social, spatial development and environmental trends influencing the design of spaces people live in.

This question was top of mind for dhk Candidate Architect Ismaeel Davids as he journeyed to Madrid in January 2024.

Pedestrians are heroes – or at least they should be

The Urban Design Institute of South Africa (UDISA) counts only 150 practitioners formally registered in the country – of which two are part of the dhk team.

“We’re trying to create vibrant and inclusive spaces, whether they’re public or privately owned, to make people’s lives better and improving life in any environment."

Working in a profession she loves, with people she loves to work with.

From soap dishes to superpowers

Experienced architect Martin Lardner-Burke has been appointed as a partner of dhk Architects, bolstering the leadership team as the practice continues to expand its project portfolio locally and abroad.

Once complete, the sizable 45,000m2 precinct will include 600 brand-new apartments and other amenities such as leisure and lap pools, verdant gardens, and ‘The Luna Club’.

Once complete, the sizable 45,000m2 precinct will include 600 brand-new apartments and other amenities such as leisure and lap pools, verdant gardens, and ‘The Luna Club’.

35 Lower Long, an elegant 86-metre glass-clad office tower, has recently been completed which will invigorate Cape Town’s emerging financial and hospitality district.

a heritage building situated along popular Kloof Street in Cape Town, has undergone a metamorphosis.

Capitec Bank, one of the largest and most progressive banks in Africa, has unveiled its innovative new headquarters, iKhaya, meaning ‘home’ in Xhosa.

South Africa’s first, fully integrated, mixed-income, mixed-use development, aimed at reversing apartheid spatial planning and located near Cape Town’s CBD, has been launched for sale to the public

Nestled in the Stellenbosch Valley, the contemporary Cape architecture blends effortlessly with lavish interiors.

written by Jonathan Dyble for Africa Outlook

dhk has announced that it has appointed a new partner, Leigh Bishop. She will also be joining the board of directors, thus expanding the leadership team.

'With each project comes a myriad of factors to consider. I find my job is constantly about the challenge of balancing conceptual narratives with hard realities’

dhk has completed an apartment block conceived as a monolith with indentations and cut-outs

Situated at the southern edge of the blossoming Bridgeways Precinct, it boasts unobstructed panoramic views of Table Mountain

The Norval family who are the founders and initial funders of Norval Foundation envisioned a world-class art museum in an exceptional location that would be accessible to the general public.

Architecture firm, dhk, has unveiled its design for a new residential development comprising four elliptical towers of differing heights

in addition to steering the ship, Renske leads the company’s team that focuses on private residences, boutique hotels and galleries.

The position was awarded to the 12 000m² park located at a key gateway to the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Purchase the book from the giftshop The book details the concept, construction and curation of the project and includes a special foreword and introduction from dhk’s executive chairman Derick Henstra.

dhk scooped four awards in the international A’ Design Award & Competition

Perched on top of a two-storey parking podium, the complex will overlook the city’s lush canopy.

The World Architecture 100 is BD’s compendium of the world’s biggest architectural studios.

Developed as the nucleus of a larger urban vision for the district, the site includes a park and piazza that effectively conceal a 1 206-bay parking facility as well as new pedestrian routes to invigorate the precinct with activity.

“We’re delighted that the Drostdy Hotel has been recognised by the Institute. It was a significant project in terms of its rich heritage and required sensitive restoration..."

Situated on the urban edge of Port Elizabeth opened its doors to the public today. It is the largest retail development in the Eastern Cape with over 250 shops over two levels that will cater for an estimated 800 000 visitors a month.

Two projects by dhk architects received Innovation Excellence Awards at the SAPOA Convention yesterday afternoon.

The Bridge Park office development has been awarded a 5-Star Green Star SA Office v1 Design rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa

confirming its position as the most sustainable tall building in South Africa. The project had already achieved a 5 Star GSSA Design rating, and this new certification confirms that all criteria were achieved on completion of the building.

Senior Associate, Sarah Patterson speaks to Architect + Builder about new trends, the impact of architecture and designing for local needs in education